> listen to your body. Stop when it starts to hurt.
but isn't the point of training to push thru the pain barrier? When do you actually stop and listen, vs when to ignore the pain and keep going?
but isn't the point of training to push thru the pain barrier? When do you actually stop and listen, vs when to ignore the pain and keep going?
The first thing that you should learn when doing a new exercise is what the difference between these two pains are. Then, when performing more rigorous forms of the same exercise, you can establish where you can push through the pain. Is the pain you are feeling exhaustive? Push through. Is the pain something foreign? STOP IMMEDIATELY.
This, I think, is one of the reasons why it is suggested to do a lighter exercise before engaging in the intense stuff. As well, you don't run the risk of learning the difference between the two pains too late into the exercise. In general it follows along with the trite quotes: "You have to learn to walk before you can run," and "Start slow to go fast."
If you get a stitch in your side there's no harm in pushing through, they're painful but not harmful.
If you get shin splints or your knees hurt, stop and figure out what's wrong before you damage something.
Depends on the end goal. If you can only complete two miles and you're signed up for a marathon a month from now, you're going to have to push past your comfort zones.
But if your end goal is to be able to go up a flight of stairs without heavy breathing, to sustain vitality through your older years, then no, do not push. Do just the amount of effort that will allow you to keep coming back, day after day.
If you know some people can run marathons, it doesn't sound crazy to think "well, I ought to be able to run for 10 minutes without any problems", but there are a lot of people who would risk seriously injuring themselves with 10 minutes of quick-pace running. Not to the point of rhabdo, probably, but certainly not a healthy experience.
It also doesn't sound crazy to think "Well, I'm in agony after two minutes, but there's no way that means I should stop. I'll never get anywhere with only two minutes of running!" But of course, 'beginner gains' are distinctive - someone who hasn't done cardio in years might be at two minutes today and six minutes next week.
The only universal answer I know to solve this is to take your first few outings in a new thing lightly. Don't even set a training plan, just go out until you're a bit uncomfortable, then stop and see how you feel the next day.
I got a lot of benefit from doing intense martial arts when I was younger but sometimes I wish I had been smarter and not just ignored pain. But again, it's a difficult decision. Some things make you tougher and some things cause problems later on.